This Rare Vintage Rolex Online Auction is Happening Now
We're late to the party, but whether you do or don't end up bidding for a vintage Rolex at this online auction, let your introduction to Bob's Watches and Wind Vintage be your greatest takeaway (for now).
The watch sources have linked up for a public online auction of 12 stainless steel Rolex lots with their original boxes and papers. These are from the late '60s all the way to the present and, more important, were sourced directly from the owners.
You'll have to register at Bob's to view the watches and, if you really like one, nervously place a bid with a mouse click. As of this writing, bids start at USD10,400 and runs all the way to almost USD200K. The auction is until September 12.
Here's more information:
Lots of Rolex from the '60s
Highlights include a very rare Paul Newman Daytona (the famous model that appeared in that movie) and other beauties such as a Milgauss with a CERN dial and several Pepsi Rolexes, including one brand-new GMT-Master.
To whet your appetite, we offer this nugget about the Newman:
Bob’s Watches recently purchased the watch from the original owner who became aware of its value after the Paul Newman auction. Of the small number of “Paul Newman” Daytonas known to the market, very few include their box and papers, making this an exceptional watch beyond its beautiful condition. … Most importantly, the dial is in absolutely stunning condition with no visible imperfections.
Nice, right? The info sheet for each watch is packed with details, including an overview of the model, a condition report of the lot, and, in some cases, its origin story, as in the tale of how each owner came by his beautiful piece. The Newman, for example, was a gift from wife to husband, who had an “extreme interest” in racing sailboats.
Bob's Watches Is A Major Secondhand Rolex Marketplace
Maybe you're not in the market for a vintage Rolex right now, but this is a good opportunity to get acquainted with one of the biggest secondhand Rolex marketplaces on the Internet.
Bob's Watches' current owner is not a “Bob” (that Bob was the previous owner), but watch expert Paul Altieri. The California-based website has become known for offering fair market value for pre-owned Rolexes as it presents buy and sell prices for each watch on the site.
On the menu are all the beloved styles, from the Submariner and Datejust to the Daytona and President, plus more and more: the Cellini, the Yachmaster, the Sky- and the Sea-Dweller. If Rolex made it, it's probably here.
For international orders, Bob's only accepts wire payment. Shipping fee is USD150, duties and taxes are paid by the buyer, and delivery is within two to three days upon payment. And yes, it sends its goods to our fair shores.
Wind Vintage Trades in Beloved Timepieces
Wind Vintage is owned by Eric Wind, whose expertise in the sale of important watches over at auction house Christie's makes him more than qualified to, not just provide exceptional timepieces to the market, but also advise major vintage watch collectors.
The company offers a spectrum of vintage pieces from various houses, some of which you may have not heard of. Of the 19 watches on the page right now are pieces from Gallet, which is the oldest watch and clockmaker, Lucien Piccard, Certina, and Angelus. Heavyweights are also represented with Patek Philippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre on deck.
In particular, that Jaeger-LeCoultre 1933 Military Reverso is a standout gold piece that holds an enamel engraving of a green dragon, the emblem of the Royal Berkshire Regiment of the British Army, on its reverse face.
Not all watches are displayed on the site, so if the style you desire is not listed, drop Wind a line, and he'll help source the model from the available inventory or in the private vintage watch collections that he curates.
Both vintage watch sites are good places to acquire a vintage piece or, really, learn about old watches—tickers that continue to tell time and, with potential buyers like you on the horizon, be part of a new story.
